” The Nikon FE offers an exclusive combination of technological advantages and value never befor available in an auto-compact slr” reads one advertisement for this camera in 1981. The advertisement goes on to point out,” the Nikon FE is an outstanding value….uniquely precise metering…pure creativity…a singular combination of brilliant design, extraordinary engineering,..uncompromising production standards, and a deep sense of pride” Marketing hyperbole or true? Let’s see🥸
Black and Silver or All Black
The FE is indeed a compact but solid camera weighing just over a 1 1/2 lbs or 700 grams. I don’t like camera straps that much and so I am happy carrying a camera in my hand. After a three hour walk I didn’t feel tired, perhaps testimony to the statement “brilliant design, extraordinary engineering.”
Self Timer and preview button
Lens Release Button
Controls and dials are where you would expect. Why change when you have a winning design? The inclusion of a 1/90th second manual shutter is a very welcome backup for what is otherwise a electronically controlled camera that needs two LR44 batteries. On many of my Nikon cameras the light meter only operates when the film counter registers on frame 1. Not so with the FE. As soon as you close the back of the camera, having put some film in, you have a camera that is ready to go. 😀 Another appreciated feature, although admittedly seldom used, is a dedicated double exposure lever below the film wind on.
On the back we have a battery test switch that will illuminate when batteries are good. When the Nikon SB 10 flash unit is fitted, the camera automatically responds by changing the shutter speed to 1/90th second. Additionally when the flash has charged, a red LED lights up in the front of the viewfinder eye piece. An example of an “exclusive” feature included in the FE.
Enough talking, let’s load up with some Rollei Retro 400S and go for a walk .
In fact since I have two, lets include some Fujicolor 200 as well😮
Even with strong directional light coming in from the right, the FE’s centre weigthed meter has done a good job, in my opinion, maintaining good overall contrast in the image.
I do enjoy using the Nikkor 50mm f1.8 lens😁
Time to develop the films
The Nikon FE is one of those cameras that receeds into the background, allowing you to get on with thinking about and creating the images you want and then delivering them to you with a minimum of fuss. I used the camera in aperture priority mode allowing the camera to decide the exposure. Of course full metered manual mode is available.
In the three films I put through the camera while testing it, only one image was overexposed from what I wanted. There are not many cameras I could say the same thing about. So it is no exaggeration when the above advertisement says that the FE has a “uniquely precise metering“.
Having used the camera I can see why Nikon felt “a deep sense of pride” with regard to the FE. I have no doubts about recommending this camera to any one. The only dilemma is which colour? As you can see I have solved this with being in possesion of both☺️
arhphotographic 